Employability

Employment is an important part of adult life. Many of us define ourselves by the job or career path we choose, thereby making employment and employability integral aspects of adult life. Therefore, if teenagers are to transition to successfully to adulthood life, we need to make sure that they have the requisite skills necessary. For all teenagers, ‘work’ is the desired destination following completion of school. However, some teenagers and young people with autism may need a varying degree of support in order to gain employment and be successful at work.

Like teenagers without autism, teenagers with autism can do all different types of jobs!

Temple Grandin states:

“Successful transition from the structured world of school or college to successful employment requires a lot of hard work. One of the biggest problems I had with trying something new was fear. Long before a student on the ASD spectrum graduates from either high school or college, they need to get work experience while they are still in school. The transition from school to employment should be gradual and not abrupt.”